KUALA TERENGGANU: The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) has recommended that the Terengganu government or a relevant entity take steps to trademark the state’s renowned dish, ikan celup tepung, commonly known as fish fritters. MyIPO chairman Dr Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain emphasized the importance of this measure to safeguard the dish from being replicated by others.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Mohd Zuhan highlighted that while ikan celup tepung (ICT) is widely popular in Terengganu, it is not yet officially trademarked as a product of the state. Currently, numerous ICT vendors along the coast of Terengganu market the dish under their individual brands. Dr Mohd Zuhan drew parallels with keropok lekor losong, another local delicacy that has been successfully registered with MyIPO, preventing its name from being used internationally without authorization.
The chairman made these remarks during the inauguration of MyIPO’s Satellite Office at the Entrepreneur Development Foundation (YPU) i
n Terengganu. The new office aims to facilitate the protection of intellectual property for entrepreneurs, designers, innovators, and professionals in the region. Previously, individuals seeking MyIPO services had to travel to the branch office in Kuantan, which also caters to clients from Kelantan and Pahang.
Dr Mohd Zuhan noted that from 2019 to October of this year, MyIPO has processed 47,283 applications for intellectual property and trademarks across Malaysia, with 1,418 applications originating from Terengganu. Meanwhile, YPU Terengganu Senior Corporate Manager T. Ahmad Shabirin Awalludin expressed readiness to trademark ICT under the Geographical Indication category, ensuring its recognition as a distinctive product of Terengganu.